EU Commission chief accuses Russia of energy 'blackmail'

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused Russia on Saturday of using energy supplies as a form of "blackmail" against Austria and the EU.

Responding to Gazprom’s decision to halt natural gas deliveries to Austria, von der Leyen argued on X that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "weaponizing" energy to pressure Europe.

She gave assurances that the EU is prepared for such actions, emphasizing that gas storage facilities across the bloc are full and Europe is prepared for the winter.

Von der Leyen also reiterated the EU's solidarity with Austria, highlighting her recent discussions with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on the issue.

On Friday, Nehammer confirmed that Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled natural gas company, would stop gas supplies to Austria starting Saturday.

Gazprom has not provided further details on the supply cut, but Austrian utility company OMV said on Wednesday that it anticipates a worsening situation, potentially including a halt of gas supplies. This is due to a recent arbitration ruling that awarded OMV €230 million ($242 million) in damages for previous supply disruptions impacting its operations in Germany.

Relations between Russia and the EU have been rocky in recent years, especially since the start of Moscow’s war on Ukraine in February 2022, which triggered a series of European sanctions on Russia.